Signal attachment to locomotive head-lights



(No Model.)

W. W. RICHARDS.

SIGNAL ATTACHMENT To LOGUMUTTVB HEAD LIGHTS. No. 260,895. PatentegJuly l1, 1882.

`ATTORNEY.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WALTER W. RICHARDS, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

SIGNAL ATTACHMENT TO LOCOMOTIVE HEAD-LIGHTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 260,895, dated July 11, 1882.

Application filed May 13, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, WALTER W. RICHARDS, a citizen ot' the United States, residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Signal Attachments to Locomotive Head-Lights, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification and accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective View of a headlight with signal attachment embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section in line w rv, Fig. l. Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the signal attachment and adjacent portion of the head-light. Fig. 4 is a section in line y y, Fig. 3.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several gures.

My invention consists of a signal applicable to the head-light oi' a locomotive-engine for announcing that another train is following, or for indicatingdanger, or for other purposes, said signal being of the form of a hollow globe or body which is illuminated by the head-light, the globe being removable, so that it may be entirely dispensed with or one of a different color substituted. t

Referring to the drawings, A represents a locomotive head-light, which, excepting as far as relates to my invention, is of ordinary form and construction. To the front or side plates of the frame of the light or lantern are sev lQured tubes B', which, projecting forward or laterally, or, preferably, diagonally, from said plates, communicate with the interior ot' the light or lantern, and are so disposed in relation to the illumiuator or burner C that when the burner is lighted the light therefrom is caused to stream through said tubes.

D represents hollow globes or other suitablyshaped bodies of transparent material, which are formed with necks D to enter or lit over the tubes B, whereby said globes are sustained on the head-light.

It will now be seen that when the globes are in position they are illuminated by the light of the Illuminator or burner of the head-light, whereby there is produced a convenient, servieeable, reliable signal, which may be seen both in front of the train and after the same has passed, so that the nature ot' the signal may be observed in either case, the head-light being in no wise obscured or affected.

It lis evident that di'erent-colored globes may be employed and a system ot' signals adopted on the basis of that now in vogue or another that may hereafter be adopted. For this purpose the globes are removable from the head-light, and one or both may be in service or both dispensed with. In the latter case the tubes B are closed with suitable plugs, so that the light does not escape therethrough.

In the day-time the colored signals may be seen and interpreted similar to dag-signals, with the advantage that-the salient or projecting position of the globes permits them to be seen after a train has passed even a considerable distance.

In order to hold the globes firmly and safely in position, l employ screws E and springs F, the latter being preferably of the form ot' bent plates of steel, which rest in a groove .in the neck of the globe, the screws being fitted to and passing through the tubes B and tightening against the crowns of the springs, whereby the latter bear firmly against the necks of the globes with a yielding pressure, and thus conneet the globes with the head-light in a secure and safe manner without liability of being wrenched ont or broken ott' from the place of connection.

I am aware that it is not new to construct a signal attachment to locomotive head-lights with tubes which communicate with the headlight and project from the sides of the headlight frame, said signal attachment being provided with means whereby it is visible from the frontand back.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A signal for a locomotive head-light, of the form of a hollow globe attachable to the head-light and visible from all sides, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with the head-light of a locomotive, of a hollow globe provided with means of attachment to the front plates or corners of the head-light frame, whereby said globe is illuminated, but does not obstruct or ICO affect the brilliancy of the head-light,substan n. neck, in combination With the head-light,

tially as set forth. y the springs, and screws, substantially as and Io 3. The combination, with the head-light of for the purpose set forth.

a locomotive, of the tubes projecting from the 4 T 5 head-light frame, and the transparent globes WALTER VL RICHARDS' attached to said tubes, so as to be readily re- Witnesses: movable therefrom, substantially as set forth. JOHN A. WIEDERSHEIM,

4. The hollow globe or body provided with A. P. GRANT. 

